headgear

noun

head·​gear ˈhed-ˌgir 

1

: a covering or protective device for the head

2

: a harness for a horse's head

Synonyms

• hat
• helmet
• cap

Examples of headgear in a Sentence

The law requires cyclists to wear protective headgear.

Her preferred form of headgear is a big, floppy hat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jeffers was hit in his headgear twice in the third inning on foul tips — once off his mask, the other on the left side of his helmet. —David Brown, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025

Corso’s final appearance after 38 seasons on the show concluded 431 headgear picks. —Richard Deitsch, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025

Will someone else put on the mascot headgear to continue and honor Corso’s tradition? —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025

Corso has worn 69 schools’ mascot headgear and has dressed up as Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish leprechaun, the Stanford tree and historic figures James Madison and Benjamin Franklin. —Joe Reedy, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for headgear

• midyear
• nazir
• reindeer
• tuyere
• acyclovir
• asthenosphere
• ganciclovir
• magnetosphere
• atmosphere
• biosphere
• centromere
• chemosphere

Kids Definition

headgear

noun

head·​gear -ˌgi(ə)r 

1

: a covering (as a hat or helmet) for the head

2

: harness for a horse's head